Andrew Harrison
Stuart Ferrie rounded off his season with a cracking win in the Gr1 HKJC Champions Stakes with Gladatorian getting the better of Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince and can continued his run of form when the filly Hodgepodge takes on her male rivals in the Gallop TV Middles Stakes that heads the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.
The race is a super competitive handicap but Ferrie’s yard has been in mustard for of late and Hodgepodge could be the value bet in what looks to be a wide open contest. She has been consistent since her last win and gets first time blinkers. That coupled with a light weight could see her home. Andre Nel saddles Plum Pudding was narrowly beaten by Trois Trois Quatre on this course last time out and is now 1.5kg better off for a 0.5 length beating so should be able to turn the tables. So to Royal Invitation who is similarly better off and was also close up in that contest. However, the apprentice did not give Queue Wing the best of rides last time out to the chagrin of Garth Puller and has been replaced by a fellow 4kg claimer. The gelding has been consistent and is one for all bets
On straight form Iconic Winter is the obvious choice in the card opener and barring a springer among the first timers should get the meeting off to a winning start. Of those that have run, Hollandia Bakkerij raced green on debut and is likely to improve while Higher Love is improving slowly and was not far behind the odds-on winner last time out. Keep a close eye on the market.
Similar sentiments apply in the first leg of the PA but Royal Sword made marked improvement second time out in spite of drifting in the market. On exposed form he should take a lot of beating but there are a number of first timers to take note of in the betting.
Cape-based Candice Bass-Robinson has left a few in charge of Summerveld assistant Terry Fripp before heading to a wet and soggy Cape and Mrs Stormiatrix made marked improvement with first time blinkers over course and distance in soft ground. She looks to have come to hand nicely and ward off Glen Kotzen’s filly Act Of Grace who has the best of the draw and was well supported in the market last time out. She has done well on the turf and should be a big threat to the selection. Cool Wind has drawn widest but did find some solid long-shot support at just her second outing going a mile for the first time and this shorter trip may suit.
Mike Miller holds a strong hand with three solid runners in the fourth. Judged on jockey engagements, Warrior Royale would appear to be the stable first choice. She goes well over course and distance but has not been out since March which may be a concern. One Smart Cookie is way better than her last run when drawn wide in a big field. Her last win was on this course and Tienie Prinsloo’s charge can put a spanner in the works give her lowly rating.
Other Miller runner’s, Sovereign Grant and Magical View are certainly not out of it.
Prankster would be one of the better bets on the card but this is an apprentice race where a few Qatari apprentices making their debut. Prankster has smart recent form over course and distance and Gareth van Zyl’s mare rates the horse to beat. Quentasia was a beaten favourite last run. Her recent form has been on the poly but Darryl Moore’s filly has a light weight and could go all the way. Janes Vision could be the dark horse. She takes on weaker and with a 4kg claimer aboard she should be competitive.
In the seventh it may be advisable to load up in this leg of the exotics with many in with chances and apprentices at the helm. Quinn’s Time was disappointing first up out of the maidens but won well prior to that and can make amends for his last showing. La Maddalena has smart form over course and distance and an experienced apprentice aboard. While Angel Of My heart has a handy galloping weight and the most accomplished apprentice aboard in James Lihaba. The mare could feature at generous odds.
In the last, Mohave Prince was a narrow maiden winner last time out but was hard-pressed by Master Du Rouvary who looks to be better than average. The balance of the field was a long way back. This trip will suit and Garth Puller’s colt can follow up. Run To Rio was getting lumps of weight when a close-up second to Wing Walker who returned to Cape Town after three straight wins but the Ferrie stable is on hot form. World Of Our Own has a fair weight but is better than recent efforts and should feature.
